The Hawaiian Islands were formed over a hotspot. Places where hot magma currents rises from deep in the earth are called hotspots. Rising magma from the center of the earth rises to the crust of the earth. When it encounters solid rock and cannot force it aside, the magma collects and pressure builds. Once in a while some pressure is let go, magma escapes, and eruptions happen. After many underwater eruptions, the volcano builds an underwater mountain. The mountain grows with each eruption and when it rises above sea level, it becomes an island.
The oldest major Hawaiian island, Kauai, was formed over the hotspot 6 million years ago. The Pacific plate drifted away from the hotspot, the Kauai volcanoes died out, and another volcano rose in its place to create the island of Oahu.
The process repeated and created a chain of similar islands. The volcanoes on the islands of Kauai and Oahu are extinct. Haleakala, on the island of Maui, is a dormant volcano. Volcanologists say that it is "due" for an eruption soon (within 100 years).
The island of Hawaii has 3 active volcanoes -- Hualalai, Mauna Loa, and Kilauea at 4,000 feet on the southern slope of Mauna Loa. Kilauea is the most active and its crater, Hakema'uma'u, is the Hawaiian volcano goddess' (Pele) home. South of Hawaii, the seamount of Loihi is building and will become another island in 10,000 years.
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